Ivory Coast captain Franck Kessié says his side must remain focused and disciplined when they face Ghana in their opening Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifier in Bouaké on Thursday.
The midfielder spoke to the media on Wednesday, on the eve of the match at the Stade de la Paix, where the two West African rivals will begin their qualifying campaigns.
Kessié described the fixture as a derby and acknowledged the quality within the Ghana squad, while calling on his team-mates to follow the instructions of coach Hervé Renard.
“It’s clear, when you play Ghana, it’s a derby,” he declared.
The Ivorian captain also highlighted the importance of remaining concentrated from the start of the match as the Elephants prepare for a demanding encounter against their neighbours.
“Ghana is also a great African nation, with very, very good players. As the coach pointed out, we have to be ready,” he added.
Kessié also discussed the competition for places within the Ivory Coast squad following the arrival of a number of younger players.
The midfielder said competition between established internationals and emerging talent was a normal part of football, particularly at national-team level.
“That’s football, that’s the beauty of football,” he replied.
Kessié has personal experience of breaking into the national team at a young age, having made his international breakthrough when he was 17.
He believes younger players should be given the opportunity to establish themselves, while existing members of the squad cannot assume their positions are secure.
“The most deserving player gets to play, according to the vision of the coach and his staff,” he explained.
For the captain, competition within the squad should encourage every player to continue working hard to earn the confidence of the coaching staff.
The emergence of new players does not necessarily threaten the positions of established members of the team, but instead provides an incentive for everyone to maintain their standards and compete for selection.
Kessié also addressed his own physical condition ahead of the Ghana match.
After joining the transfer market late, he has already featured in three matches for Atalanta. He believes that those appearances have provided him with sufficient match fitness to take part in Thursday’s qualifier.
“I’ve already played three matches, so I think that if I wasn’t physically ready, the coach wouldn’t have called me up. So if I’m here, it’s because I’m physically ready,” he said.
The midfielder will therefore be available as Ivory Coast begin their bid to qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
Kessié is also expecting strong support from the supporters in Bouaké and believes the atmosphere at the Stade de la Paix can provide encouragement for the Elephants.
“We know that in Bouaké, we have a crowd that never gives up,” he assured.
The captain wants the team to respond to that support with a disciplined performance against Ghana.
The match is scheduled for 19:00 GMT on Thursday, 24 September, at the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké.
For Kessié, the opening fixture will require Ivory Coast to combine the energy of a derby with the discipline needed to follow Renard’s instructions.
With Ghana regarded as a strong opponent and several younger players competing for places within the Ivory Coast squad, the captain has called for concentration from the opening whistle.
The Elephants will now look to turn that approach into a positive start to their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign in front of their home supporters.
